Topographical Survey

The precise measurement of land features, artificial and natural to produce detailed existing site plans including levels. This type of survey is a prerequisite of most development projects large and small so the proposal can be designed and built within the context of the site.

Firstly survey control points are established in Ordnance Survey National Grid Coordinates with a highly accurate GNSS receiver. Signals from visible satellites are triangulated to calculate a position including the height on the Earth. GPS refers to the network of satellites to which a device can communicate. A GNSS receiver communicates with multiple networks to gain accuracy and reliability.

Trimble R10 GNSS Receiver measuring control point coordinates

Control Stations are physically installed reference points from which the site is measured. These ensures consistency if the survey is revisited, extended and at the construction setting out stage.

Traverse Prism backsight set over Control Station

A Robotic Total Station measures the angles and distance from the Control Station to the Survey Point, this bearing and distance is used to calculate the position coordinates. A Total Station is a optical Theodolite with built in Electronic Distance Measurement which uses infrared reflected signals.

Trimble S8 Total Station – Sea Defences – Millom

On foot measuring to a mobile reflecting prism or the GNSS reciever the surveyor effectively traces out the site by measuring Survey Points at intervals along ground features and in a grid pattern across land. Each point is coded to identify the feature and surface material. Typically over 1000 points are recorded in a day and stored on a Survey Controller.

Surveying waters edge – location unknown

The collected survey data is processed in Trimble Business Centre software and exported for final editing in Autodesk Autocad. A professional grade standardised technical drawing coherent to all users is drafted by the surveyor who measured the site.

Royal Lancaster Infirmary master plan extract

There are various sources of map data available online but as yet none achieve the detail and accuracy of the surveyor on the ground.

Topographical Survey – house and garden variety

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